WASHINGTON: JD Vance said on Friday that a potential military strike by the United States against Iran would not lead to a prolonged war in the Middle East, in an interview with The Washington Post, while noting that both diplomatic and military options remain under consideration.
Vance, speaking amid rising tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, told the newspaper that the possibility of the United States becoming embroiled in a long, drawn-out conflict was “no chance,” rejecting fears of a years-long military engagement.
He added that he does not yet know what decision Donald Trump will make regarding Iran, describing a range of possibilities from military strikes “to ensure Iran isn’t going to get a nuclear weapon” to resolving the issue through diplomacy. Vance said the administration generally preferred a diplomatic solution, but maintained that the course of action “really depends on what the Iranians do and what they say.”
Vance also cautioned against repeating past foreign policy mistakes while underscoring that the United States must be careful in its approach, reflecting debates within Washington over how best to handle the standoff with Tehran.
The remarks come at a time when the U.S. has deployed a substantial military presence in the region and continues negotiations in Geneva, as global concern grows over the prospect of military confrontation.